Wayne M Garrett

Wayne Garrett, 90, of Mayville, ND, died Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at his home.

Wayne Matthew Garrett was born September 27, 1935, at Union Hospital in Mayville, ND, the son of Ira and Agnes Garrett. He grew up close to the land that would shape his whole life, attending a rural school near the family farm in Blanchard Township before continuing through 8th grade in Blanchard and graduating from Mayville Public High School in 1953. After a year at Mayville State, Wayne felt the call to serve his country and volunteered for the Army, spending 1954 to 1956 stationed in Korea. He returned home, finished his degree at Mayville State in 1961, and taught 8th grade at Mayville Public School for a year — before the pull of the farm brought him back to work alongside his father and brothers. Farming wasn't just Wayne's livelihood; it was a lifelong passion he carried with quiet pride for the rest of his days.

On December 6, 1957, Wayne married the love of his life, Darlene Offerdahl, at Mayville Lutheran Church, beginning a partnership that would last 68 remarkable years. Together they raised four children — Julie, Mark, Angela, and Brenda — and built a home filled with warmth, faith, and hard work.

Wayne believed deeply in showing up for his community. He was a devoted 70-year member of the American Legion Post, an active and faithful member of both Blanchard and Mayville Lutheran Churches, and a charter member of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers, which later grew into the American Crystal Sugar Company — a fitting legacy for a man who helped build something lasting from the ground up.

More than anything, Wayne treasured time with the people he loved. He and Darlene filled their years with laughter over card games, good food shared around the table, and cheering on their favorite sports teams. Their farm, their lake home, and their winters in Arizona each became cherished gathering places, holding decades of memories that his family will carry forward.

Wayne is survived by Darlene, his beloved wife of 68 years, of Mayville, ND; his children, Julie (Darryl) Tunseth, Mark Garrett, and Brenda (Todd) Johnson; his grandchildren, Adam (Frannie) Tunseth, Sarah (Dan) Garrett, Grant Tunseth, Leah (Eric) Weller, Kaia Johnson, Ty Johnson, and Jada Johnson; and his great-grandchildren, Garrett, Scarlett, Hazel, Harvey, Jacey, Harris, Luke, Hattie, and Wesley — each of them a piece of the legacy he leaves behind.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Angela Garrett; his granddaughter, Amanda Garrett; and his brothers, Garth and Wendell Garrett; brother in laws, Gaylor, Lyle and David Offerdahl; sister in law, Juliann Garrett.

Wayne will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend — a man of faith, service, and deep roots in the community he called home.

Visitation: Will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND.

Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors.

Burial: Will be in the Mayville Cemetery in Mayville, ND.